Post 157 - Mike Williams - Swayin' To The Music / Singles

Mike Williams aka Shirley Temple the blond, curly headed floor manager for the Mike Walsh Show. In 1977 he issued a single for M7 Records "Swayin' To The Music" b/w "Singles" (MS-221). The A side was released by Johnny Rivers in America the same year. The song was written by Jack Tempchin (the same guy who wrote so many hits for the Eagles: Already Gone, Peaceful Easy Feelin‘). Although Rivers’ version made it to #10 on the US charts, Williams’ version only charted in Perth, reaching #38 for 7 weeks. The single was arranged by Terry Walker and Geoff Harvey and produced by Terry Walker.

Post 156 - Cheetah - The Non Album Singles

Cheetah was active between 1977 and 1982. The main members and vocalists were sisters Chrissie Hammond and Lyndsay Hammond. They had been session vocalists for many Australian artists including Jo Jo Zep, Jon English, Marc Hunter, Flash and the Pan and as a vocal duo toured with Stevie Wright, Norman Gunston and Daryl Braithwaite. Lyndsay fronted a group called Skintight and toured with Renée Geyer before forming Cheetah with Chrissie Hammond. Cheetah toured across Australia, the UK and Europe including appearances at Roskilde in Holland, the Nuremberg and Wiesbaden Festivals in Germany and a show at the 1982 Reading Festival with Iron Maiden to an audience of 120,000 people. They are often compared to Seattle based Heart, also with two sisters. They are not to be confused with The Cheetah Girls. Chrissie Hammond would become better known outside Australia for performing female vocals for Rick Wakeman. In 1982 Alberts released the LP Rock And Roll Women produced by Vanda & Young which produced the hit "Spend The Night". Here to download is a collection of singles released before 1982 which never made it onto the LP. The only track that made it to the LP was the B side of "Love You To The Limit" (AP-419) which was "Let The Love Begin" on Albert 1981 produced BY Vanda & Young. Other singles here are "Shake It To The Right" b/w Love Ain't Easy To Come By" 1977 Philips (6037 090 2) produced by Peter Plavsic, "Desperado" 1978 EMI (EMI-11771) produced by Rick Formosa the A side “Walking In The Rain” has been recently released on CD - Get That Jive Australian Pop Of The 70’s and "Deeper Than Love" b/w "Deeper Than Love" (instrumental) 1979 EMI (EMI-11867) produced by Ian Meldrum. Thanks to Micko for the help with this post.

Post 155 - Playback - Sweetheart You're Gonna Take Over This Town! (...You Had It All The Time)

Russell Dunlop was born in Paddington, New South Wales. In the late 1960s he joined Aesop's Fables, a group featuring singer Cheryl Blake and organist Gary Moberly, who went on to work with The Bee Gees. Dunlop also soon found himself in steady demand for session work as a drummer and vocalist. Aesop's Fables disbanded around October 1970 and Russell moved back to Sydney, where he joined Mother Earth, another jazz-rock group which featured Renee Geyer as lead singer. In the mid 1970s Dunlop toured the U.S. with the band Ayers Rock, renewing his friendship with Jimmy Doyle, and they subsequently toured Australia many times with the Aussie Blue Flames, backing the British performer Georgie Fame. He also recorded and toured with the Aunty Jack Show team, among many other acts, while becoming more involved in recording.In the late '70s, Dunlop began a highly successful collaboration with producer engineer Bruce Brown at Albert Studios and they formed their own independent production company BAD (Brown And Dunlop). Dunlop’s credits as producer or co producer with Bruce Brown include Machinations, Mental As Anything, Jon English and the Doug Ashdown. Dunlop and Brown enjoyed success of their own right as a recording act with the 1980 hit "Space Invaders", inspired by the popular video game of the same name, which they released under the pseudonym Player One for Warner Bros. Here to download also out of 1980 under the name of Playback they recorded the song "Sweetheart You're Gonna Take Over This Town! (...You Had It All The Time)" (WCP 2) for WEA. And under the pseudonym The Monitors, Brown and Dunlop scored another Australian hit with the single "Singing In The 80s". Dunlop died suddenly in May 2009 while playing drums at his son's wedding in Sydney. He is survived by his wife Judi, son Aaron and daughter Kane.

Post 154 - Hush - Get Flaired

Hush were finalists in the 1972 Hoadley’s National Battle of the Sounds and were well on their way to being one of the top bands in Australia. 1973 was the beginning of Hush’s intensive national touring, playing more than 200 towns and cities, driving approximately 4,000 kilometres each week. Hush were often on tour for 9 months of the year. The single, “Get the Feeling“, and album Aloud N Live were released in late 1973. “Get the Feeling” was a hit in NSW. In March ’74 the band signed with Wizard Records and their single “Walking” became the first national hit for Hush. Robbie Porter took over production of the band’s recording and the first product of this association was the hit single “Boney Maroney”, an updated version of the Larry Williams song. Also in 1974 they recorded a one sided promo single here for you to download for Colonial Jeans called "Get Flaired" (WP-1)

Post 153 - Laurie Allen - Sunshine On Your Face / On A Ferris Wheel

Laurie's musical career began in 1959 as guitarist with one of Melbourne's first rock bands, Malcolm Arthur & The Knights. He then joined The Blue Jays as organist and released a solo single, "Wolfman" 1962, before teaming up with singer Bobby Bright in 1964. Their hits in the '60s on the Go!! label included Laurie's self penned "I Belong With You" and "Judy Green"; after switching to Albert Productions/Parlophone they scored another national chart topper with Roger Miller's "Hitch-Hiker" and in 1966, they hosted their own ABC-TV show It's A Gas, later retitled Dig We Must. The duo's second backing band, The Rondells, included some of Melbourne's top players and included the future Daddy Cool rhythm section of Wayne Duncan and Gary Young. When the duo split up in early 1967, Laurie formed up the Laurie Allen Revue, which featured Colleen and Glenys Hewett, on backing vocals and issued three singles for Festival. In 1969, Bobbie and Laurie reformed for three singles, including the hit version of Porter Wagoner's "Carroll County Accident" before splitting again in 1971. He signed with Col Joye's ATA label, here to download is his first single for ATA in 1972 "Sunshine On Your Face" b/w "On A Ferris Wheel" (ATAK-4734). Produced by Col Joye and Laurie and backed by The Joy Boys.

Post 152 - Joe Dolce - Pizza Pizza / Pizzamix

In 1984 Joe Dolce wrote the song "Pizza Pizza" (FB-1399) as a tribute to his love for pizza. "Pizza Pizza" is one of those tunes that once you hear; you end up humming all day long. Joe decided to license the song to pizza operators to use in advertising or as a jingle. The record was sent around to radio stations, and was put in a pizza box. That got the attention of radio programmers. It was produced by Joe, Ern Rose and Mike Brady for Fable Records in Melbourne. There is also a EP with an extended version but here to download is the 3.20 single with it's B side "Pizzamix".

Post 151 - Joe Dolce - Ain't In No Hurry

Yes another Joe Dolce record this time it's the B side of his #1 hit "Shaddap You Face". Recorded for Astor Records "Ain't In No Hurry" (A7316) never made it onto the LP "Shaddap You Face". Penned by Joe and produced by Ian McKenzie and Joe and recorded at Flagstaff Studios in Melbourne in 1981.

Post 150 - Red Symons - The Big Time / The Copyright Act

This is Red's second single released in 1987 "The Big Time" b/w "The Copyright Act" (K278) on Mushroom Records. In 1977 his first single "It's Only A Flipside" and in 1988 "Sex Appeal" which you can find here at post #29.Here is the single produced by Red as Rick Pinko Sims and arranged by Paul Grabowsky.

Post 149 - Bob Hudson - Waltzing Matilda Rock / Heartsmasher

Bob Hudson was essentially a folk singer, came to the attention of ABC musical director Chris Neal who arranged for him to record the in concert album The Newcastle Song. Chris Neal produced and played on the album. The album produced the national #1 hit single "The Newcastle Song". Which was edited down from the ten minute LP version.. As a follow up Hudson issued the album “After Me Cat Left Home.” Here for you to download from 1975 on M7 Records is "Waltzing Matilda Rock" b/w "Heartsmasher" (MS-112). Hudson issued his third album, Party Pieces, in 1980. Since then, he has concentrated on writing and DJ work.

Post 148 - Max Merritt & The Meteors - Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah / I've Been Trying

Max Merritt was born Maxwell James Merritt in Christchurch, New Zealand on 30th April 1941. He relocated to Sydney Australia in December 1964. In Sydney, The Meteors made their first Australian television appearance on Johnny O'Keefe's Sing Sing Sing. By April 1965, the second Meteor's album was finally released on RCA Records and contained a range of styles, including the single "So Long Babe". Other singles followed but Teddy Toi and Johnny Dick left to join Billy Thorpe & The Aztecs. During February 1966, visiting UK acts The Rolling Stones and The Searchers were supported on tour by Max Merritt and The Meteors. After a cruise ship gig to New Zealand Merritt heard Otis Redding's version of "Try a Little Tenderness" and recorded his own cover in 1967. Turmoil within The Meteors saw a rapid turn over of members and by May, Merritt with Bob Birtles on saxophone, Stewart "Stewie" Speer on drums and John "Yuk" Harrison on bass guitar, decided to relocate to Melbourne. Here to download is one of three singles recorded in 1965 on Parlophone "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah" b/w "I've Been Trying" (A-8162) In April 2007, Merritt was admitted to a Los Angeles hospital suffering kidney failure, he was diagnosed as having Goodpasture's syndrome, a rare autoimmune disorder that affects the kidneys and lungs. Merritt was struggling with his health and finances, so his manager, Wal Bishop, along with Australian music industry friends organised a Concert for Max held at the Palais Theatre, St Kilda, Melbourne on 21 October 2007, and raised $200,000. On 1 July 2008, Merritt was inducted by Glenn A. Baker into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Post 147 - Marc Hunter - Communication LP

Marc Hunter born in Taumarunui, New Zealand, was a rock singer best known as the lead vocalist with Dragon, a band formed by his older brother Todd in Auckland, New Zealand. The band moved to Sydney in 1975 and became one of Australia's biggest selling bands. Hunter developed a serious heroin addiction. Recklessly outspoken and volatile on stage, during the band's 1978 US tour he called the audience faggots at a show in Texas. The following year, he was fired from the band. Hunter bounced back immediately with his 1979 solo album "Fiji Bitter". For you to download is Marc's 1985 LP "Communication" (827 233-1) recorded for PolyGram. Appearing on this album are Mark Punch guitar - (Cool Bananas, Renee Geyer Band), Mark Kennedy drums - (Doug Parkinsin Southern Stat Band, Friends, Renee Geyer Band, Spectrum King Harvest, Foucs, Ayers Rock, Men At Work, Kevin Borich Express), Todd Hunter bass - (Dragon Headhunters), Alan Mansfield keyboards - (Dragon), Geoff Oakes sax - ( Heart ‘n’ Soul,), Wendy Mathews, Kirk L’Orange guitar - (Chasing The Train, Mudhead) , Peter Grimwood guitar - (Dragon) , Jeff Baxter guitar - (The Stetsons), Rick Chadwick piano - (Full Marks), Phil Scorgie bass - (Devotions), Clive Harrison bass - (Avalanche, Bootleg Family, Kush), Don Walker piano - (Cold Chisel, Catfish), Ian Moss guitar - (Cold Chisel, Catfish), Horrie Dargie - harmonica, Tony Buchanan sax - (Cool Bananas, The Joy Boys), Steve Howsden guitar (Little River Band, Renee Geyer, Marcia Hines) , Rex Bullen keyboards - (Blackfeather, Jim Keays Southern Cross, Bakery), Rick Fataar drums - (Yothu Yindi, Catfish, The Monitors), Brain Hamilton bass - (Wendy & The Rockets). Marc's years of hard living caught up with him and he was diagnosed with throat cancer in 1997 and could no longer perform or tour. For the last few months of his life, Hunter underwent various forms of treatment including several alternative medicine remedies but none were successful and he died in Kiama on July 17, 1998. Thanks to Matt for supplying this LP for us to clean up and post here.

Post 146 - Uncanny X-Men - Start Believing / Sullivans

The band signed with CBS Records after leaving Mushroom in 1986.This was the 4th single release from their 1986 CBS album “What You Give Is What You Get“, which peaked at #11 in November of that year. The single peaked at #63. Internal tensions occurred so they disbanded in 1987, although there was a brief reunion during 1998. Here to download is that single with its non album B side “Start Believing" b/w "Sullivans" (650440 7)

Post 145 - Lin Buckfield & James Reyne - R-O-C-K- Rock / Under My Thumb

Lin Buckfield is an Australian television producer, journalist and musician. Buckfield was lead singer, songwriter and guitarist for pop-rock group Electric Pandas during 1983–1987. Buckfield's television work commenced in 1990, she has won five Walkley Awards. James Reyne born on 19 May 1957 in Lagos, Nigeria is an Australian rock musician and singer/songwriter both as a member of the 1980s band Australian Crawl and solo work. Whilst still with the Australian Crawl, Reyne formed a duet with Lin Buckfield to release the 1985 single "R-O-C-K- Rock." b/w "Under My Thumb" a Rolling Stones cover (FREE-0002) on Freestyle Records. Here to download is that single.

Post 144 - Pat Wilson & Her Daddy O - Tacky / Tacky Too

Post #32 we gave you the extended version of "Bop Girl" and on post #62 we gave you Pat's mini LP Strong Love. Now for the only other Pat Wilson recording that I know of are the two B sides of her singles "Tacky" (0-259850) 1983 the B side of "Bop Girl" and "Tacky Too" (7-259578) 1984 the B side of "Strong Love" which has Ross Wilson doing the lead vocals and going by the name of Daddy O. Here to download are those two B sides released on WEA Records. I and Mrs. Ozzie Music Man recently had the opportunity to meet both Pat and Ross and even got an invite to Pat’s southern style bbq at her café. Both were extremely approachable and simply fascinating.

Post 143 - Phil Cunneen - Johanna's Softly Crying

Adelaide musician Phil Cunneen was an important influence in the studio, as arranger and musical director for most of the label Sweet Peach early singles. The connections between Cunneen and Doug Ashdown went back to their early days in Adelaide. Phil supplied the music on the Here's Humphrey LP's. He also plays keyboards with Peter Combe which Phil has been playing with Combe since his original popularity. He did the music arrangements for the movie Breaker Morant and was a part of the 1983 line up of Barrie McAskill's Levi Smith's Clefs once more with its big brassy sound, this line up included Phil Cunneen on piano. Phil only released two singles "Johanna's Softly Crying" (MX7024) on Gamba Records 1970 and "John Wesley Harding” in 1971. Here to download is the first single b/w "Brand New Song" by Roy Wooding and who is Roy Wooding? If you know please let me know as I can't find anything on this man anywhere.

Post 142 - Joe Dolce - Reggae Matilda / There Ain't No U.F.O.

Yes another Joe Dolce single for you this one was never released in Australia. Only in the UK on Epic Records. I couldn't find out much else on the recording so I emailed Joe but his Personal Assistant J.Jota said that Joe was on holiday in Indonesia. So this is what Joe's P.A. wrote me back regarding the song...

Hi Garry,

"Reggae Matilda" was a reggae parody of Waltzing Matilda. It was originally offered to record executive Glenn Wheatly, in 1979, a full year before ‘Shaddap You Face’ was released. He considered

it a sure-fire number one hit single in Australia. However, initial objections from the Banjo Patterson Estate, who didn’t like the lyric changes, and threats of lawsuits, discouraged Wheatly from proceeding and the project was shelved. After the success of Shaddap You Face, Joe released the song anyway, in the UK. There were no objections from the Patterson estate at this stage but the musical climate was a bit different and the song didn’t have the impact it might have had in the Australia market a year earlier. "Aint No UFO" was a US country song written by Don Oriolo, From Joe's 1981 album, Shaddap You Face He has since written a similar type of country/UFO song called "Crop Circles in My Marijuana"

Sincerest

J Jota

Dolceamore Music

Here to download is the single “Reggae Matilda" b/w "There Ain't No U.F.O. (Gonna Catch My Diesel)" (EPC A1497) released in the U.K. in 1981.

Post 141 - The Bay City Union - Mo'reen / Mary Mary

Matt Taylor's first band, The Bay City Union, was formed in March 1966 and was one of Australia's first traditional Chicago blues bands. They released one single for Festival Records, in April 1968 before breaking up in July 1968 due to a lack of interest in blues bands. The single being "Mo'reen"/"Mary Mary," (FK-2284) which went to #32 in Melbourne. The A side was written by American singer Mark Lindsay and Terry Melcher and the B side was a cover of Mike Nesmith's song. Terry Melcher was Doris Day's son. In the short life of this band there was a turnover rate of 15 members per the two years they were together with member such as Trevor Bagnall (bass), Jimmy Brelsford (Moose Malone, guitar), Tony Buettel (Fraternity,Band Of Light,Band Of Talabene,Levi Smith's Clefs,drums), Matt Croke (guitar), Brian Hayes (guitar), Paul Johnson (Mr.Floppy, Levi Smith's Clefs,Vocals & Harmonica), John McInerney (69's, Grand Junction, drums), Phil Manning (Chain, Band Of Talabene, guitar), Joey Masotano (keyboards), Peter Miles (Bulldog, drums), Matt Taylor (Chain,Western Flyer,Meating,Vocals & Harmonica), Glen Wheatley (Purple Hearts, The Masters Apprentices, bass), Paul Wyld (Throb,69's,One Ton Gypsy,Blackfeather, Keyboards), Neil Young (Chants R'n'B, bass) and Col Mahoney (drums). Here to download is their one and only single and a big thank you to Micko for the B side.

Post 140 - Front Page - I Thought I'd Never Fall In Love Again / Rockin' Hollywood

With the brake up of The Bootleg Family in '75 Tony Naylor, Geoff Cox, Clive Harrison and Adrian Campbell went touring as Avalanche in early '76. They released "Wizard Of Love" in February and it went to #23 in Melbourne. Another four singles and a LP followed. Cox and Harrison left in 1977 by 1978 Naylor & Campbell had changed the bands name to Front Page. With a new line-up of Phil Wood, Tony Thornton and James Black which replaced Bruce Haymes. They issued the single "I Thought I'd Never Fall In Love Again b/w Rockin' Hollywood" (BL 320) in August 1978. By 1979 it was over. Naylor went on to join Jon English's band Baxter Funt in 1980. Here for you to download is that single recorded on Bootleg.

Post 139 - Daniel - Last Night In The City / A Talk With Daniel

The gold flexi disc was distributed as part of a pack promoting Daniel's forth coming album. It came in a single size gatefold cover. One side is a preview of "Last Night In the City" from their Album. The B side is a "Talk with Daniel about their sound and how they get it," featuring the voice of Mike Rudd talking about the band. Daniel which evolved out of Delta moved to Sydney from Newcastle. They came to the attention of Mike Rudd who produced their only album also called Last Night In The City in 1978. They recorded three singles and an LP for Image Records. Here to download is that flexi disc released by Ambassador Records, Sydney. I'm guessing sometime in 1978.

Post 138 - Buster Noble - The Young Camp Stockman / Son Of Tommy

Born in Adelaide, Buster Noble left the Capital touring with the Milton & Adams Comedy Company. During World War II he toured the Pacific Island with the Waratahs Concert Party. Buster has made audiences laugh in many countries around the world but his first love was Australia. Here to download from 1972 is "The Young Camp Stockman" b/w "Son Of Tommy" (SAC-101) recorded on M7/Australian Country records. Produced by Joe Halford.

Post 137 - Peter Hiscock - A Certain Mr.Brown / The Battle Of Daffodil Hill

Peter Hiscock and Bryce Rohde penned the song "A Certain Mr. Brown", which he recorded for Festival in June 1971. The song was based on the melody of "Click Go The Shears" but the lyrics told of the exploits of the mysterious Mr. Brown, an anonymous criminal who successfully extorted $500,000 from QANTAS after claiming he had placed a bomb on one of their planes. Produced by Richard Batchens here is that song to download "A Certain Mr.Brown" b/w "The Battle Of Daffodil Hill" (FK-4286)

Post 136 - Bill & Boyd - Aussie / Schwabadaba Ding Ding

Bill Cate and Boyd Robertson were from the Hutt Valley near Wellington New Zealand. They were school mates at Wellington's Naenae College. In 1964 Bill and Boyd moved to Australia on the strength of their first Australian hit "Chulu Chululu". It was a bright, sing-along song recorded live at the Rotorua Sound Shell in New Zealand. Appearing regularly on Bandstand, and working the clubs around Australia, they left for America early in 1968. They toured with the Supremes and Herb Alpert. On their return to Australia, they established themselves as a top club act. In 1970, they joined Ron Tudor's newly formed Fable label. It wasn't until 1975 that they had their most success, after recording a song called "Santa Never Made It Into Darwin". The song documented the events of Cyclone Tracy that devastated the city of Darwin on Christmas eve. Another single called "Put Another Log On The Fire" was released and Bill and Boyd were a household name. Here to download is a single out of 1974 "Aussie" b/w "Schwabadaba Ding Ding" (FB-213). The A side was recorded in London and the B side in Melbourne, the B side was also the B side of their 1973 hit "Someone To Love" and it was also released as an A side in 1971 with "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight" as the B side.

Post 135 - David Holmes - Denver Idleman / Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You

David Holmes is a songwriter, blessed with a baritone voice. His songs are all about Melbourne, the city that he has called home for most of his life, although he has travelled and performed interstate and overseas for many years. From his beginnings as 1970s Best New Comer on Bandstand, David led a very public life. After his early critical acclaim for his song "Denver Idle Man” which went to #8 on the Melbourne charts, he disappeared from the public eye. But we hadn't seen the last of him. After 10 years out of the lime light he was asked to join Four Chairs No Waiting, a group that later evolved into The Scared Weird Little Guys. Here to download is his single for Fable produced by John Farrar in 1971 "Denver Idleman" b/w "Tonight I'll Be Staying Here With You" (FB-048)

Post 134 - Rory Thomas - From Rory Thomas With Love EP

Rory Thomas was a keyboard player in a number of great Aussie bands such as Heart 'N' Soul, The Affair , Questions and Doug Parkinson In Focus. Rory's superb musical training came from Australia, the U.K. and America. In America he studied under the late Earl Grant. He was the musical director for Godspell in Sydney. The only single by him was in 1975 called "Fire Wheels" b/w "Skateboard Freak-out" Here to download is Rory's EP "From Rory Thomas With Love" (PRS-2316) which was released by EMI and sold at Bankstown Square where he played music each year. The record was produced by Arthur Pettett.

Post 133 - Mental As Anything - Mental As Anything Plays At Your Party EP

Two fans, Martin Fabinyi and Cameron Allen, liked the Mentals so much that they formed Regular Records to release the band's Mental As Anything Plays At Your Party EP. It started selling like crazy at gigs, sold from the boots of the cars of Greedy Smith, Martin Plaza, Reg Mombassa, Peter O’Doherty and Wayne ‘Bird’ Delisle. It featured all original tracks, and is their only release on which Plaza and Mombassa were credited by their original names, Martin Murphy and Chris O'Doherty. Sydney rock station Double Jay gave airplay to its most popular track, "The Nips Are Getting Bigger", a drinking song written by Plaza. Soon after the EP's release, Festival Records took over distribution of Regular Records and released a remix of "The Nips Are Getting Bigger" as a single in July 1979. This was followed on 1st November by the band's debut album, Get Wet. Mental As Anything has released 36 singles, 2 EP's and 18 albums. Here to download we go back where it all started in 1978 with the 3 track EP " Mental As Anything Plays At Your Party" (REG 1)

Post 132 - William Shakespeare - Toledo Bay

Yet another B side of an earlier post this time "Toledo Bay" (AP-11057) by William Shakespeare is the B side to "Last Night" post #27. Like the A side this song was penned and produced by Vanda & Young for Albert Records in 1976.

Post 131 - Red Symons - Whatever

"Whatever" (K546) is the B side of post #29 "Sex Appeal" like the A side it was produced and written by Red under the name of Rick Pinko Sims for Mushroom Records in 1988.He was best known as lead guitarist with Skyhooks and as the snide judge of Red Faces, a segment of the long-running Hey Hey It's Saturday variety television show. In 1985, he guest starred in Neighbours as criminal Gordon Miller. Here is that B side to download.

Post 130 - Maria Venuti - Listen To Your Mama / City Streets

Maria Venuti is one of this country’s leading performers, Maria has played in every major cabaret venue around Australia, New Zealand, the Far East, Japan as well as entertaining our boys in the Sinai Desert. From starting in Television on Brian Henderson’s Bandstand, Graham Kennedy’s IMT, The Mike Walsh Show Variety Italian Style etc. Many well known stars paid homage to her incredible personality and talents. Rolf Harris declared Venuti a true character and talent of Australia. The song here for you to download is the answer song to "Shaddap You Face" and was recorded in 1981,it was co-written by US songwriters Al Styne and Ellean Russell, Ellean also wrote the B side. Joe Dolce once said “I have never heard the song, I was always honoured and fascinated that Maria got in the spirit of the times around "Shaddap You Face" and wanted to explain things from Mama's point of view". Here to download is that song recorded for RCA Records "Listen To Your Mama" b/w "City Streets" (103739).

Post 129 - Peter Plus With Bazz & Pilko - Bite Your Bum / Mandy

Bazz & Pilko, Barry Ion (pronounced Ian), and Tony Pilkington were an Adelaide radio breakfast duo who spent a few years doing Breakfast on a Sydney radio station. Peter Plus was Bazz's character and does the vocal on the parody of Joe Dolce's Shaddap your Face. The B side another parody this time Scott English's "Mandy" with the B side credited to Pilko With Bazz & Plussy. Here to download from 1981 released on Festival is the single "Bite Your Bum" b/w "Mandy" (K-8238)

Post 128 - The Sports - O.K, U.K! EP

Based in Melbourne, The Sports released a number of successful singles and albums. They were formed in 1976 by Stephen Cummings who was the singer of Melbourne rockabilly group, The Pelaco Brothers, which comprised Cummings, Joe Camilleri, Peter Lillie and Johnny Topper. Their best known songs include "Boys (What Did The Detective Say?)", "Don't Throw Stones", "When You Walk In The Room", "How Come", "Who Listens To The Radio?", "Perhaps" and “Strangers on a Train". Members were Martin Armiger guitar (1978-1981), Ed Bates guitar (1976-1978), StephenCummings vocals (1976-1981), Robert Glover bass (1976-1981), Paul Hitchins drums (1976-1980), Iain McLennan drums (1980), Jim Niven vocals, keyboards (1976-1980), Andrew Pendlebury guitar, vocals (1976-1981), Freddie Strauks drums (1980-1981) and Red Symons keyboards (1980). Here for you to download is their EP O.K, U.K! (X13052), which was recorded in London for Mushroom in 1979.

Post 127 - Frankie Davidson - Hector The Trash Collector / Somebody Take My Wife

Another parody, this time of John Farnham's 1967 hit Sadie The Cleaning Lady. Reaching # 35 in Melbourne "Hector The Trash Collector" by Frankie Davidson. Released by Festival Records in 1968 b/w "Somebody Take My Wife" sounding very much like They're Coming To Take Me Away Ha Ha. Frankie was the first Melbourne artist to ever have a national No.1 record "Have You Ever Been To See King's Cross".  Also on Post #72 on this blog you can hear Frankie singing "50, 00000 blowflies can't be wrong". Frankie is still one of the most popular entertainers in Australia, and on cruise ships and in resorts right around the world. Here to download is "Hector The Trash Collector" b/w "Somebody Take My Wife" (FK-2281)

Post 126 - Martin Plaza - Rare Tracks

Martin Plaza was vocalist/guitarist/songwriter with Mental As Anything. Plaza also has a solo music career and in 1986 had a #2 hit with his cover of the 1960s Unit 4+2 song "Concrete and Clay”. He has worked in other bands such as The Stetsons, Beatfish, Moondog and Martin Plaza and The Lost Vegans. Here for all you Martin Plaza lovers is a collection of Martin's song that have appeared on different various artist albums through out the years. Songs included here are "While You Sleep" from Lullaby & Goodnight Flip Records - (LULLCD001) 1996, "Wings On The Water" from Olympic Record - Warner (8573827772) 2000, "Seems Alright To Me" from Flora & Fauna Of the Gibson Desert - Dynamic Music 1994, "When You Wish Upon A Star" from Duets A Family Celebration - Festival (D 24668) 1999, K.9.N.V. & Puppy Love from 101 Unleashed - Walt Disney Records (74321429462) 1996, "Use Me All Over" 12" b/w "Ruby Baby"- CBS (BA12215) 1986 AND "Best Foot Forward" 12" CBS (BA12202) 1986. Here to download are those tracks.

Post 125 - Frankie J. Holden - My Right Of Way / Chartered Accountant Blues

Frankie J. Holden was born Peter Brian on the 18th of December 1952. During the 70's Holden was the front man for Ol' 55, which also included Wilbur Wilde. In the late 90's Holden became the host of the Monday evening variety show In Melbourne Tonight, co-featuring Julia Morris and Denise Drysdale. He has also appeared in dramas Round the Twist, Prisoner, A Country Practice, Something in the Air, Police Rescue and Underbelly. He has four children; three girls with his first wife, and another child from his second marriage. His first wife, dancer Melda Rees, died in 1997 from cancer. Holden married popular actress Michelle Pettigrove two years later. The single here for you to download is "My Right Of Way" b/w "Chartered Accountant Blues" (K-6748).

Post 124 - Dave Allenby - Sweet Gingerbread Man / Who Wrote That Song

Dave Allenby was a popular Sydney TV and club performer of the late '60s and early '70s. Allenby also had a brief burst of pop success in 1971 when he released a single on the independent Chart label "Sweet Gingerbread Man" b/w "Who Wrote That Song" (CHK-4325).  The B side was written and produced by Pat Aulton a noted Australian record producer, musician, arranger and songwriter. Aulton died in mid February 2009, aged in his early seventies. For more info on Dave check out post #85.

Post 123 - Little Pattie - You'll Never Know / You'll Be My Love

Patricia Thelma Amphlett was born 17th March 1949 in Paddington, Sydney. Her first single for EMI, was influenced by the surf music craze titled "He's My Blonde Headed, Stompie Wompie, Real Gone Surfer Boy". The song was released in November 1963 when Pattie was aged 14, it went to number two on the Australian music charts with The Beatles holding the #1 slot at the time with "I Want To Hold Your Hand". She regularly toured supporting Col Joye and the Joy Boys, with Judy Stone. In 1966, at the age of 17 and the height of 4' 10", she became both the youngest and the shortest person to entertain troops during the Vietnam War. She subsequently appeared on several TV shows in America, the most notable being the Ed Sullivan show. She continues to perform on television and in clubs, and became a vocal teacher, notably coaching Nikki Webster. In 1973 she married Joy Boys bassist and record producer/manager, Keith Jacobsen, but they parted ways in 1984.She subsequently married Laurie Thompson, and they have been together for 20 years. She is the cousin of Divinyls lead singer Chrissy Amphlett. Here to download is her 1977 single on ATA Records produced by Keith Jacobsen "You'll Never Know" b/w "You'll Be My Love" (K-6839)

Post 122 - J. Vincent - Don't Drop Your Gear Over Here / Put It In A Bin

John Vincent started his career in 1963 as an announcer on 2RE in Taree, N.S.W. He later worked at many stations, but became best known in the 1970s for his work on 5KA and a decade later on SAFM's top rating Morning Zoo program. John suffered from heart and lung conditions for most of his life. It was John's heart ailment which led to his interest in radio, after he spent many months listening to it while ill as a child in Sydney. John had a bypass operation at 21. Other than this I can't find a lot about John's recording history but this is a record slinging off when the Maxi skirt came into fashion. It was released by Gamba Records in or around 1971 produced by T. Milburn and both sides written by john. John is credited on the label as J. Vincent. John died in his sleep at the Royal Adelaide Hospital with his family at his side on 27th March 2009. Here to download is John's single and it's B side "Don't Drop Your Gear Over Here" b/w "Put It In A Bin" (GA2).

Post 121 - Broderick Smith - Goin' On Down To The End Of The World / She's Gone

Broderick Smith was born in 1948 in Hertfordshire, England. Smith and his family migrated to Australia in 1959 and settled, in St Albans a Western suburb of Melbourne. He has been a member of 1970s bands Carson and The Dingoes, 1980s Broderick Smith's Big Combo and performed solo. In 1972 Rhett Walker, Carson's manager wanted to promote Smith as a solo artist. In May 1972 he recorded the first of two singles for Image the first "Goin' On Down To The End Of The World" b/w "She's Gone" (IS - 115) both sides of this single were penned and produced by Brian Cadd and if I'm not mistaken Brian played piano and did backing vocals. Smith has been involved in writing about 200 songs and has run workshops on song writing, harmonica and vocals. Here to download is that single from 1972 which for some reason I'm sure has never made it to CD.

Post 120 - Col Joye & The Joy Boys - A Mother As Lovely As You EP

Colin Frederick Jacobsen born 13th of April 1936 in Sydney, better known as Col Joye, is an Australian popular entertainer. He was the first Australian rock and roll singer to have a # 1 record Australia-wide, and the first Australian to reach the American Billboard charts. Recording with his brothers Kevin and Keith who were part of Col's backing band The Joy Boys, and as a solo artist, enjoyed a series of number one hits in the early 1960s. In the interim, Col and Kevin built an influential entertainment management, publishing, and recording business, including ATA Studios in Glebe, N.S.W. This EP takes Col away from his rock 'n' roll genre, in choosing these four songs inspired from his home life with his parents. His parents' opinion of his shows and recordings always means more to Col then that of the critics. Here to download is that EP from 1962 "A Mother As Lovely As You" (FX-10434).

Post 119 - Digby Richards - Whiskey Sundown LP

Born on September 12, 1941 in the remote western New South Wales town of Dunedoo. His father's work as a mounted policeman kept him in rural areas. When Digby was still young the family moved to Narooma, where he grew up. At 17 he went to Sydney and started work as a trainee manager with Waltons department store. After a chance meeting with two other boys in a music shop he formed a band the R'Jays, playing dances in town halls around Sydney. The group approached Festival Records for an audition. Legend has it Digby Richards’ singing did not impress, but the way the girls yelled and screamed as soon as he went on stage did. The boss of Festival Ken Taylor reputedly said, "Even if you haven't got a voice, my eyes tell me I could sell your records on your looks if nothing else." They were granted an audition. Digby Richards and the R'Jays were the first group to play live on Brian Henderson's Bandstand, and became regulars on both Bandstand and the Johnny O'Keefe’s Six O’clock Rock. By August 1959 he had his own TV show; in 1970 he traveled to England and spent a year writing songs. He returned to record and release the highly acclaimed Harlequin album with the single, “A Little Piece Of Peace”, returned him to charts for the first time in nine years. More hits followed. Digby Richards continued to record and perform throughout the 70s. He died on February 16, 1983 of pancreatic cancer. Here for you to download is the LP “Whiskey Sundown” (PL 25154) from 1978.

Post 118 - Ol’ 55 – Summer Of 55 12” Single

Ol’ 55 split soon after the second single was released from “The Vault” LP in 1980. In December of 1981, RCA/Powderworks issued an Ol’ 55 12” single titled "Summer Of 55" (POW056). It contained 3 tracks, “Ol’ 55 On 45”, “Four Seasons Medley” and “Summer Of Ol’ 55”. After the release of “The Vault”, many band changes followed under the same band name of Ol’ 55. Here for you to download is that 12” single.